as secretary of state. susan collins, lindsey graham and john mccain all voted to confirm condoleezza rice. who would support as the next secretary of state? >> i think john kerry would be a great appointment. >> if he is nominated and confirmed, it would wave the pay for a special election. democrats aren't worried. the president is not backing down from his support for the ambassador. >> thank you so much, guys. susan rice is extraordinary. couldn't be prouder of the job she has done. [ applause ] >> let's bring in karen finney, msnbc political analyst and former communications director for the dnc. is this a communications problem with the american people. now, it is susan collins and bob corker. they are in on the frey to smear susan rice. >> i want to take one step back on this 1998 business susan collins was talking about. if we really truly want to go there, let's remember that those attacks in 1997 were when osama bin laden came to the floor and we had a clear sense of what he was about and attempting to do. if we are going to go there, let's talk about the massive intelligence failure